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How to grow ginger at home

Submitted by Natural Solutio... on Wed, 2018-10-10 06:05

Monday, September 24, 2018 by: Rhonda Johansson

(Natural News) Ginger is a superfood that is packed with nutrients and
other healthy compounds that are beneficial to both your physical and
mental health. Most of its medicinal properties come from the rhizome —
the underground part of the stem, which is commonly mislabeled as the
root. Ginger can be used fresh, powdered, dried, or even as an oil or
juice. Its main compound, gingerol, contains many antioxidant and
anti-inflammatory properties. It is a cousin to turmeric and is often used
in many natural therapies.

Not only is ginger one of the healthiest spices around, it is also
incredibly easy to grow your own plant at home. Follow these simple
considerations to maximize your potential of benefiting from ginger’s
healing properties.

Choosing: The best way to pick the right ginger plant is to ask for fresh
rhizomes from someone already planting ginger. If not, opt to buy some from
a health and wellness store. Look for rhizomes that are plump, with
well-developed growth buds (these look like horns at the end of the
“finger”). You can soak the rhizomes in water overnight to eliminate any GMO
or chemicals found in some store-bought roots.

Planting: An essential aspect of growing ginger is having good, rich
soil. Ginger needs constant moisture. If you’re unsure if your soil is of
good quality, assume the worst. Use good compost and try for a raised bed
to improve drainage. Remember that ginger roots also require a good
drainage system so that they don’t become waterlogged. Typically, late
winter to early spring is the best planting time. Ginger plants should
receive plenty of soft, indirect light; do not expose the plant to direct
light. They should also be protected from the wind.

Supplements: If you’re using standard potting soil, regularly supplement
it by feeding it with fertilizer. Use slow-releasing organic varieties
during planting time and then alternating with a liquid fertilizer every
few weeks.

Spacing: Rhizomes don’t need a lot of space. In fact, each ginger root
planted only grows a few leaves in one spot. This will become denser over
time but the rhizomes adjust underground. In general, a 14-inch pot can
accommodate three average-sized rhizomes.

Water: As mentioned, ginger plants need plenty of moisture. However,
excessive watering will cause the plant to die. Keep the soil moist but
not muddy. Ginger also thrives in humid conditions. Keep them in a
sheltered spot and regularly spray them with water if you have problems
with dry air. It is a good idea to set a misting schedule, preferably
every other day.

TheSpruce.com gives this excellent tip: place your pot on a bigger tray
filled with small stones. The tray should be filled with water. The
evaporated water will add moisture directly to the plant. The stones
prevent the ginger from being submerged in the water.

Harvesting: Growth will slow down towards the end of the summer — or when
the temperature becomes cooler. You will notice this once the leaves die
down. It typically takes eight to 10 months to reach its full growth
potential. (Related: The science behind the healing effects of ginger.)

Storing: Most people freeze harvested ginger. However, an even better way
to prolong its shelf life is to cut the ginger into small pieces and store
it in brandy. Keeping ginger this way keeps it fresher for a longer period
of time.

Replanting: Once you dig up the whole plant, break up the rhizomes and
select a few nice ones for replanting. This can be done right away. The
rhizomes don’t need more water until the weather becomes warmer again. You
can also just dig up what you need and letting new shoots grow outwards
from mature rhizomes. Wait until the clump becomes big enough to harvest
mature tubers.

Lastly, it is a good idea to not harvest ginger plants for a year or two.
This allows the ginger to mature and create a great foundation for future
roots.